THE 2004 CAMPAIGN: DEBATE

THE 2004 CAMPAIGN: DEBATE; Edwards Challenges Kerry Over Who Can Win

Published: February 27, 2004

(Page 2 of 2)

''Because, I think there are some crimes -- those men who dragged James Byrd behind that truck in Texas -- they deserve the death penalty,'' Mr. Edwards said, referring to James Byrd Jr., a black man killed in a hate crime 1997. ''And I think there are some crimes that deserve the ultimate punishment.''

Moments later, Mr. Sharpton seized on Mr. Edwards's statement that there were problems with how the death penalty is put into effect.

''Senator Edwards,'' he asked, ''are you saying, since you agree that there's a lot of problems in the death penalty -- and no one has mentioned the racial disparity about those on death row -- that therefore, you would suspend your support of capital punishment until we dealt with those problems?''

As the candidates answered repeated questions on issues like the death penalty and abortion, Mr. Kerry tried to change the topic, asserting that voters this fall would be more concerned about the economy and health care.

''This is not the biggest issue in front of the country, that we were just talking about,'' he said of gay marriage. ''It's not even the biggest story. The biggest story today, Larry, are 43 million Americans who have no health care.''

But Mr. Edwards said the Democratic candidate's position on social issues would clearly affect their electability in November.

''People are going to consider these other things,'' Mr. Edwards said. ''And for us to assume that that's not true is just a fantasy. It's not true. We need a candidate at the top of this ticket who can connect with voters everywhere in America. And if we don't have that, we're going to be in trouble.''

Mr. Edwards, a trial lawyer who has served in the Senate for five years, also sought repeatedly to present himself as a Washington outsider, drawing a contrast with Mr. Kerry, a four-term senator. Mr. Kerry sought to make his years in office into an asset, noting that he had more experience in government than his opponent.

Mr. Edwards also sought to portray Mr. Kerry as beholden to lobbyists. Mr. Edwards noted that he had refused to take contributions from lobbyists or political action committee.

''I think these Washington lobbyists have entirely too much influence on what happens every day,'' he said. ''It's wrong.''

Mr. Kerry sought to turn that back on Mr. Edwards by noting the North Carolina senator's reliance on campaign contributions from fellow trial lawyers, blithely suggesting that Mr. Edwards was looking to make the most out of whatever distinctions he could find.

''And I don't think there fundamentally is a difference,'' Mr. Kerry said. ''I mean, John has raised almost 50 percent of his money from one group of people in the United States of America. Now I don't suggest ever suggest that he is beholden to them.''

''He said, ''There's not really a difference in this race between us in our commitment to get the lobbying out.''

On trade, Mr. Kerry was asked to square his support for inexpensive clothes and goods from overseas for consumers with his support for labor unions seeking better wages and job protections.

''Some jobs we can't compete with,'' he said. ''I understand that. But most jobs we can.'' Mr. Edwards sought to draw a sharp a contrast on the issue by noting different votes the two men have cast on trade pacts over the years.

Near the debate's end, Mr. Kerry and Mr. Edwards were asked to contemplate the idea of running together this fall

''An Edwards-Kerry ticket would be powerful,'' Mr. Edwards said.

Mr. Kerry thanked Mr. Edwards ''for the consideration,'' but did not reciprocate.

Mr. Kerry was then asked to name a quality of Mr. Edwards's that he wished he had himself, but appeared not to entirely grasp the question.